Coaxial type drums with apertures for changeable type segments

ABSTRACT

A printing device for use in print type equipment is provided, having a shaft, a print type drum affixed to the shaft and an auxiliary type drum adjustably mounted on the shaft. The auxiliary drum is secured to the shaft in abutting relation to one end of the print drum when in its operating position. A plurality of type segments are carried by a like number of mounting apertures or slots in the periphery of the auxiliary drum and are slidably removable therefrom. The type segments are removable and insertable through peripheral access apertures provided in the abutting end of the print drum when the auxiliary drum is rotatably adjusted on the shaft to align the type segments with the access apertures, without the need to remove the drum or other parts of the assembly or perform an awkward time-consuming task to accomplish this purpose.

United States Patent Kondur, Jr. et al.

[ 1 Sept. 26, 1972 COAXIAL TYPE DRUMS WITH APERTURES FOR CHANGEABLE TYPE SEGMENTS [72] Inventors: Nicholas Kondur, Jr., Rolling Meadows, 111.; Ronald H. Mack,

Plymouth, Mich. [73] Assignee: Burroughs Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,497

[52] US. Cl. ..101/375, 101/110, 101/95, 101/377 [51] Int. Cl ..B4lf 13/10, 841 H34 [58] Field of Search ..101/90, 91, 92, 95, 97, 374, 101/375, 376, 377, 378,110, 329, 381, 397,

[56] References Cited 1 UN1TED STATES PATENTS 2,975,702 3/1961 Hutzelman ..101/95 X 1,878,789 9/1932 Luland ..101/95 3,306,187 2/1967 Jagger ..101/95 x 3,583,317 6/1971 Gibson ..101/368 2,072,098 3/1937 Davis 6131. ..101/375 424,085 3/1890 while ..101/374 Koehler 101/377 811,776 2/1906 3,505,950 4/1970 Harperm" ..101/93 C 2,641,182 6/1953 Koffski ..l0l/329 3,367,264 2/1968 Rydman ..l0l/368 X Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-E. M. Coven Attorney-Kenneth L. Miller and Edwin W. Uren [57] 1 ABSTRACT A printing device for use in print type equipment is provided, having a shaft, a print type drum affixed to the shaft and an auxiliary type drum adjustably mounted on the shaft. The auxiliary drum is secured to the shaft in abutting relation to one end of the print drum when in its operating position. A plurality of type segments are carried by a like number of mounting apertures or slots in the periphery of the auxiliary drum and are slidably removable therefrom. The type segments are removable and insertable through peripheral access apertures provided in the abutting end of the print drum when the auxiliary drum is rotatably adjusted on the shaft to align the type segments with the access apertures, without the need to remove the drum or other parts of the assembly or perform an awkward time-consuming task to accomplish this purpose.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures P A TENTEBsms I972 INVENTORS NlCHOLAS KONDUR, JR. RONALD H. MACK AGENT COAXIAL TYPE DRUMS WITI-I APERTURES FOR CIIANGEA-BLE TYPE SEGMEN'IS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I The invention relates generally to printing devices and particularly to the mounting of interchangeable type segments thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art Interchangeable type segments have been employed in combination with interchangeable curved printing plates which are affixed to a drum. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 811,776 issued to H, L. Koehler and U.S. Pat. No. 424,085 issued to E. White, the type segments are slidably mounted in slots on the printing plates, the printing plates normally having type mounted integral with the outer surface or periphery of the plates in spaced apart relationship. Furthermore, the elongated recesses or slots are generally located between the type to produce different kinds of type sets and arrangements of the type segments or characters. The type segments are inserted into the slots of the plates and are secured by separable pieces which in turn are secured by screws or the like.

In I. H. Koffshi, U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,182, there is illustrated a hollow cylindrical drum assembly includes a plurality of annularly spaced slots open at one end of the drum. A like number of type segments or interchangeable type are inserted into the spaced slots of the drum. A cylindrical shaft having a flange on one end abuts the open end of the drum when inserted therein to secure the type after the type have been inserted into the slots. The drum assembly is then rotatably mounted and held by a cradling means in effective position for a printing operation.

The improvement and advantage of the present invention resides in the provision for aligning and replacing type segments without disassembling the printing device or the removal of operating parts thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The printing device herein disclosed provides for a print type drum affixed to a shaft and a plurality of print type mounted in spaced apart relationship to one another on the periphery of the drum. The type is arranged in columns and rows, each row being in a common plane with the axis of the shaft but angularly spaced with respect to one another and being representative of a print line of the printer. An auxiliary drum normally abuts one end of the print type drum for aligning the type segments, carried by the auxiliary drum, to a selected one of the rows of type. The invention resides in the provisions on the print and auxiliary drums which enables the type segments to be aligned and replaced with convenience and without disassembling the printing device.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device having an auxiliary drum on a common shaft abuttable with a print type drum, the drum being rotatably adjustable on the shaft so that type segments can be replaced without removal of parts of either a supporting or driving nature.

It is another object of the invention to provide a printing device having an auxiliary drum movably mounted on a shaft for aligning type segments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing device wherein one end of each of the type segments is extended into an aligning recess in the abutting end of the print drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the auxiliary print drum abutted and secured in its desired position relative to the print drum;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the auxiliary print drum with part of a set screw collar broken away;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

5 FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the auxiliary print drum taken along the line 4,-4 of FIG. 1, showing the replaceable type segments inserted into individual mounting apertures;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of the same invention, showing an alternate means for positioning the auxiliary print drum in its desired position relative to the print drum; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the replaceable type segments.

As mentioned in a previous paragraph, the auxiliary drum is conjugated with the print drum, the purpose being, in general, for the identification or dating of printed material. The importance of this is evident when one considers the ever-increasing complexity of data processing and the accompanying necessity for rapid identification of printed material.

With reference to the drawings, the print drum device 10 comprises, in general, a shaft 12, a first print drum l4 and a second or auxiliary print drum 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The print drum 14 is fixed to the shaft 12 for joint rotation about a horizontal axis. The structure of the print drum 14 in'thepreferred embodiment, has an epoxy-type cylindrical core 13 molded to the shaft 12 and a printing sleeve 15 mounted on the periphery of the cylindrical core, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,054 issued to N. I-Iepner and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,620 issued to F. G. Dedek. A plurality of print type 18 are integrally secured to the periphery of the sleeve 15 of the drum l4 and are shown as arranged in rows extending parallel to the axis of the drum. The

rows of print type 18 may terminate short of abutting of a printer (not shown). Furthermore, the print type 18 may be arranged as shown so that the characters of each column are in sequence and the characters of each row are repetitive.

In the preferred embodiment, the print drum 14 includes, on its abutting end 17, one or more type segment access apertures 20. The access apertures 20 are rectangular in shape as shown in FIG. 1 and include an inner end wall 19 and opposed side walls 21. The end of each access aperture opposite-to its inner wall 19 opens out through the abutting face 17 of the type drum. The inside dimensions are large enough to receive an interchangeable or replaceable type segment 22, such as the one shown in FIG. 6. In addition, a plurality of short aligning notches 24 are annularly spaced apart on the periphery of the abutting end face 17, on the same end as the access apertures 20, each of the notches 24 being in line with an individual row of print type 18 for aligning a type segment 22 therewith.

The auxiliary drum 16 previously mentioned is slidably mounted on the shaft 12 and brought into abutting relationship with the end face 17 of the print drum 14. The auxiliary drum 16 includes one or more recesses acting as mounting slots 26 for retaining type slugs or segments 22.'The mounting slot 26 includes retaining shoulders 29-29 forming part of the slot 26 and prevents the type segment 22 from falling out when inserted therein. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the outermost portion of each slot 26 extends across the width of the periphery of the auxiliary drum 16 for receiving the upper portion 23 of a type segment 22. The innermost portion of the slot 26 is provided part way with oppositely disposed circular grooves 28 from the base of the slot 26 and terminates at an abutting end wall 30 of the auxiliary drum 16. Each type segment 22 is provided along its bottom edge or lower portion with similarly shaped laterally extending flanges 32-32. It is evident from FIG. 6, that the flanges 32- 32 extend part way from one end along both sides of the type segment. When a type segment 22 is endwise inserted into the slot 26 from the aperture 20, the ends .34 of the flanges 3232 will abut the end walls of the grooves 28, providing an interlock between the type segment 22 and its slot 26 preventing the type segment from moving toward the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and also preventing it from falling out of the slot.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the type segment 22 has an overhanging end or nose portion 36 forming part of its upper portion 23 and extending beyond the flanges 3232. When a type segment 22 is inserted into the slot 26, the extended end portion 36 projects beyond the abutting side of the auxiliary drum 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The extended end portion 36 is provided so that a type segment 22, assembled in a slot 26 of the auxiliary drum 16, will engage a notch 24 in the abutting end 17 of the print drum 14, thereby providing positive alignment of the segment 22 relative to the drum l4 and also preventing angular movement of the auxiliary drum 16 relative to the print drum. Type segments 22 accordingly are positively secured between the print drum 14 and the auxiliary drum 16.

A set screw collar 38 is provided to prevent the auxiliary drum 16 from slidably shifting on the shaft 12, and to secure the preselected engagement of the nose portions 36 of the type segments 22 with the notches 24 of the print drum 14. The collar 38 is normally located Within a hollowed-out area or receptacle 40 of the auxiliary drum 16, such area having opposite openings 4242 extending through wall structure 44 of drum 16, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the preferred embodiment, the hollowed-out area 40 near the axis of the shaft 12 is dimensionally shaped to closely hug the exterior of the collar 38 thereby coupling the collar and the drum for joint rotation. As best shown in FIG. 2, the collar 38 has a hub 46 with diametrically disposed extensions 48 and 49. The extension 48 has an internally threaded aperture 50 to receive a set screw 52 for securing the drum 16 to the shaft 12. The set screw 52, when in home position, will extend into a peripheral groove 54 formed in the shaft 12 and is of such a diameter as to snugly seat within the groove 54 to prevent, in conjunction with the nose portions 36, any angular or axial movement of the drum 16 on the shaft. The extension 49 has an elongated stem 56 for counterbalancing the weight of the set screw 52. This will prevent vibration of the printing drum when used, for example, in a high speed printer.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate method of indexing the auxiliary drum 16 is shown. The print drum 14 has a plurality of index marks 58 on its periphery along the edge of the abutting end 17 which aligns with the rows of type. Each type segment 22 also has an index mark 60 so that a type segment 22 may be aligned to the index marks 58 on the print drum 14. In use, the extended portion 36 of the type segment 22 normally abuts the end face 17 of the print drum 14 as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, after the type segment 22 is located in its desired position, the collar 38 is secured to the shaft 12 by the set screw 52, as mentioned earlier herein.

The present invention may be used with a printer such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,472,352, which primarily teaches the synchronization between a print type drum and a traveling hammer resulting from a timing relationship established between them, the cited patent being assigned to the assignee of the present invention and disclosing in greater detail the various characteristics and requirements of a high speed printer for which this invention is particularly adapted.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE When used in a printer, such as that disclosed in the above referenced patent, the printer type device of FIG. 1 is mounted on a shaft and horizontally positioned laterally to a print line. A printer hammer carrier is mounted forward of the drum for the purpose of carrying the hammer along the print line, parallel to the drum axis. The print drum is assumed to be continuously rotating about its axis; and upon a signal, the hammer will be energized to effect an on the fly printing impact upon a selected character on the print drum. In other types of printers, the type bearing drum 14 may be momentarily stopped when the hammer strikes the selected character on the drum.

To change the type segments 22 of the preferred embodiment, the operator need but release the set screw 52 from the shaft 12 sufficiently to clear the peripheral recess 54 and pull the auxiliary drum l6 slightly away from the abutting end 17 of the print drum 14. The drum 16 may then be rotated about the shaft and relative to the print drum until a slot 26 is adjacent to one of the access apertures 20. The type segment 22 is then pushed out of the slot 26 and into the selected access aperture 20 until the nose of the segment abuts the inner wall 19. The type segment 22 may then be removed from the access aperture 20 and another type segment placed within the access aperture. The new type segment 22 is then endwise shifted into the slot 26 of the auxiliary drum 16 following which the drum 16 is rotated to the desired position relative to the print drum so that the projecting nose 36 of the type segment 22 is in position to be inserted into the notch 24 aligning with the desired row of print characters 18 on the print drum. The set screw is then tightened into the groove 54 of the shaft to lock the auxiliary drum 16 to the shaft. in such condition, the type segments are not only locked in position but also by virtue of their extensions into the notches of the print drum they serve to lock the two drums against relative rotation with respect to one another. It is apparent that the type segments 22 can be conveniently interchanged without disassembly of the apparatus or detachment of parts from the driving shaft.

What is claimed is:

l. A changeable print type device comprising:

a shaft,

a first print drum affixed to said shaft for rotation therewith for positioning peripherally mounted print type to a print line, said first print drum having an abutting end thereof substantially orthogonal to said shaft, said first print drum having at least one access aperture in the periphery thereof extending toward and intersecting said abuttable end,

a second print drum slidably mounted on said shaft coaxially with said first print drum, said second drum having one end substantially orthogonal to said shaft for laterally abutting with said abuttable end of said first print drum, said second print drum having at least one mounting slot in the periphery thereof extending in the direction and intersecting said one end, said mounting slot having an outermost portion extending the axial length of said second drum and an innermost portion having op-. positely disposed grooves extending to a point intermediate the ends of said drum, and

a removeable type segment having a top portion carrying a row of print type and a bottom flanged portion for slidable insertion into said mounting slot, said grooves locating the level of said print type in the plane of said print type of said first drum, said type segment slidably removeable into said access aperture when said mounting slot is aligned therewith by relative rotation of said first and second print drums.

2. A changeable print type device as defined by claim- 3. A changeable print type device as defined by claim' 2 wherein said type segment further includes a nose portion on said top portion extending from said one end of said nose portion having a shape for accurately nesting with said aligning notches for effectively joining said second print drum with said first print drum for joint rotation therewith.

4. A changeable print type device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second print drum additionally comprises a receptacle opposite its abuttable end, including a diametrically opposed opening extending from said receptacle through the periphery of said second drum, said receptacle receiving locking means internally of the second print drum for securing said second drum to the shaft against axial and rotatable movements relative thereto.

5. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 4 wherein said locking means is a collar, said shaft including a groove aligned with said collar, said collar having a fastening means for extending into said groove, said locking means and said aligning notches of said first print drum cooperating to prevent any angular or axial movement of the second print drum relative thereto.

6. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 5 wherein said collar additionally includes an elongated stem for counterbalancing said fastening means thereby preventing vibration of said second and first drums. 

1. A changeable print type device comprising: a shaft, a first print drum affixed to said shaft for rotation therewith for positioning peripherally mounted print type to a print line, said first print drum having an abutting end thereof substantially orthogonal to said shaft, said first print drum having at least one access aperture in the periphery thereof extending toward and intersecting said abuttable end, a second print drum sLidably mounted on said shaft coaxially with said first print drum, said second drum having one end substantially orthogonal to said shaft for laterally abutting with said abuttable end of said first print drum, said second print drum having at least one mounting slot in the periphery thereof extending in the direction and intersecting said one end, said mounting slot having an outermost portion extending the axial length of said second drum and an innermost portion having oppositely disposed grooves extending to a point intermediate the ends of said drum, and a removeable type segment having a top portion carrying a row of print type and a bottom flanged portion for slidable insertion into said mounting slot, said grooves locating the level of said print type in the plane of said print type of said first drum, said type segment slidably removeable into said access aperture when said mounting slot is aligned therewith by relative rotation of said first and second print drums.
 2. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 1 wherein said first print drum further includes a plurality of radially spaced aligning notches in its peripheral surface extending toward and intersecting said abuttable end, said aligning notches having a predetermined shape and located in a predetermined position thereof.
 3. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 2 wherein said type segment further includes a nose portion on said top portion extending from said one end of said nose portion having a shape for accurately nesting with said aligning notches for effectively joining said second print drum with said first print drum for joint rotation therewith.
 4. A changeable print type device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second print drum additionally comprises a receptacle opposite its abuttable end, including a diametrically opposed opening extending from said receptacle through the periphery of said second drum, said receptacle receiving locking means internally of the second print drum for securing said second drum to the shaft against axial and rotatable movements relative thereto.
 5. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 4 wherein said locking means is a collar, said shaft including a groove aligned with said collar, said collar having a fastening means for extending into said groove, said locking means and said aligning notches of said first print drum cooperating to prevent any angular or axial movement of the second print drum relative thereto.
 6. A changeable print type device as defined by claim 5 wherein said collar additionally includes an elongated stem for counterbalancing said fastening means thereby preventing vibration of said second and first drums. 